Celebrate A Safe Diwali: LVPEI Shares​ Essential Eye-Safety Precautions – Dr. Navya Cherukuri, Consultant Ophthalmologist, L V Prasad Eye Institute.

Hyderabad, Telangana, 4th of November, 2026 : Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time for joy, togetherness, and celebration. LVPEI wishes everyone a Diwali filled with happiness, prosperity, and, above all, safety. While the festival brings joy, light, and the sparkle of firecrackers, it is essential to celebrate responsibly and prioritise the safety of ourselves and our loved ones. As we prepare for the festivities, let us remember that a truly joyous Diwali is one that protects our health, well-being, and vision. Celebrate responsibly, stay safe, and let the festival of lights brighten lives without compromising the gift of sight!

Firecracker-related eye injuries can range from mild irritation and surface abrasions to severe injuries, including corneal damage, bleeding inside the eye, traumatic cataract, retinal damage, and even permanent vision loss. Children are particularly vulnerable because of their curiosity and limited awareness of the potential dangers. Bystanders, too, can sustain serious injuries even when they are not actively bursting crackers. L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) urges the public to celebrate Diwali responsibly by following simple yet essential eye-safety precautions to protect themselves, their families, and those around them.

“As we prepare to celebrate Diwali, a few simple precautions go a long way in ensuring that the celebrations remain safe and joyful for everyone. Let us celebrate responsibly and protect what matters most – the health, well-being, and vision of our loved ones.” says Dr. Navya Cherukuri, Consultant Ophthalmologist at LVPEI’s Kallam Anji Reddy campus, Hyderabad.

Dos and Don’ts in case of an eye injury

Dos

1. Rinse the Eye Gently: If there is any debris in the eye, rinse it gently with clean water or saline solution. Avoid trying to remove the debris at home or use any other substances to remove it.
2. Protect the Eye: If possible, place a clean, dry cloth or an eye shield over the eye to prevent movement or additional injury.
3. Keep the Eye Closed: Keep the injured eye closed to avoid further damage.
4. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Get the injured person to an eye care professional or emergency room as quickly as possible.
5. Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to the instructions given by the doctor.

Don’ts

1. Don’t Apply Pressure: Avoid putting any pressure on the injured eye, as this could worsen the injury.
2. Don’t Rub the Eye: Refrain from touching or rubbing the injured eye, as this can exacerbate the injury.
3. Don’t Use Home Remedies: Do not use ointments, creams, or any home remedies on the eye without professional guidance.
4. Don’t Remove Objects: If there is a foreign object/debris lodged in the eye, do not attempt to remove it yourself.
5. Don’t Wait to Seek Help: Don’t delay seeking medical care, even if the injury seems minor; prompt treatment is crucial.
6. Don’t Drive Yourself: If the injured person needs medical attention, do not let them drive. Arrange for someone else to take them.
7. Don’t Ignore Symptoms: Watch for worsening symptoms, such as severe pain, vision changes, or excessive bleeding, and seek help immediately if they occur.

L V Prasad Eye Institute offers a set of dos and don’ts with regards firecrackers, to ensure a safe and enjoyable Diwali:

Dos:

• Consider celebrating with traditional lamps, LED lights, rangoli, and family gatherings rather than firecrackers.
• Purchase fireworks only from authorized manufacturers and ensure they are thoroughly dried in the sun for two days.
• Safely store firecrackers in cardboard boxes, out of children’s reach, and away from flammable materials like gas cylinders or oil cans.
• Always supervise children closely while they play with firecrackers.
• Allow only one person to light a firecracker at a time while others watch from a safe distance.
• Choose open areas for lighting firecrackers.
• Utilize long incense sticks/sparklers (phuljharis) to light firecrackers.
• Keep two buckets of water nearby to douse any burns immediately, and for more severe burns, wrap the victim in a clean bedsheet and rush them to the hospital.
• Always wear protective shatterproof goggles when bursting firecrackers.

Don’ts:

• Avoid lighting crackers while holding them in your hand.
• Refrain from bending over firecrackers while lighting them.
• Never light crackers inside a container, such as a bottle, tin can, or overturned pot, as this can be highly hazardous.
• Exercise patience and avoid approaching firecrackers that do not ignite immediately.
• Do not collect leftover firecrackers to create homemade versions or carry them in your pocket.
• Keep firecrackers away from burning candles, diyas, or agarbattis.
• Wear thick cotton clothing, avoiding synthetic materials when lighting crackers.
• Secure all clothing tightly; loose garments can be dangerous.
• Avoid applying creams, ointments, or oils to a burnt area.
• Do not ignite flying fireworks during heavy winds.

What should you do if a firecracker causes an eye injury?

An eye injury caused by a firecracker must always be taken seriously, even if the injury initially appears minor. Prompt and appropriate first aid can help prevent further damage and improve the chances of preserving vision.

·         Do not rub, press, or massage the injured eye.

·         Do not attempt to remove any embedded foreign object or apply pressure to the eye.

·         Do not apply ointments, eye drops, kajal, turmeric, or other home remedies to an injured eye.

·         If an injury involves an explosion, a penetrating object, bleeding, a change in vision, or a suspected cut to the eye, do not wash or manipulate the eye. Loosely shield it with a rigid protective cover without applying pressure and seek emergency ophthalmic care immediately.

·         If a chemical substance enters the eye, begin gently flushing it immediately with clean running water or saline and seek urgent medical attention. Do not delay irrigation while arranging care.

·         Seek immediate evaluation by an ophthalmologist for any firecracker-related eye injury, even if pain or other symptoms seem mild.

A message from LVPEI

A moment of carelessness with firecrackers, however, can have lifelong consequences for vision. By choosing safer celebrations, supervising children, maintaining a safe distance from fireworks, and responding appropriately to eye injuries, we can help ensure that the festival remains joyful for everyone.

LVPEI encourages the public to make eye safety an essential part of Diwali celebrations. Let us celebrate the festival of lights without compromising the gift of sight. This Diwali, celebrate responsibly and keep your eyes safe. Wishing you all a happy and safe Diwali! 

LVPEI Emergency Helpline Numbers:  040-68102100/ 040-68102848/ 73311 29653

About L V Prasad Eye Institute: Established in 1987, with the vision, to create excellent and equitable eye care systems that reach all those in need,’ the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), a comprehensive eye health facility, is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Blindness.    

In pursuance of this vision, LVPEI clinician scientists work at the cutting edge of eye research. Through its five-tier ‘Eye Health Pyramid’ and cross-subsidy models, LVPEI provides more than 50% of its services entirely at no cost to the patient, irrespective of the complexity of care needed. LVPEI is among the world’s top eye researchers with over 5,000 published scientific papers in prominent international journals.